Lisa Thompson's attack of Peel District School Board innappropriate: NDP MPP

QUEEN’S PARK — In a question period exchange today, Deputy NDP Leader Sara Singh raised the concerns of the Peel District School Board trustees and parents and students across the Peel Region. Singh said Education Minister Lisa Thompson’s attack on school board trustees in response was inappropriate — and that the minister owes them an apology.

“Today in the legislature, I shared the genuine concerns of members of the Peel District School Board about the Ford government’s plan to increase class sizes, cancel many elective courses and fire teachers and education workers. Ms. Thompson’s troubling response was to attack the board,” Singh said.

“Speaker, what we just heard from the member opposite is absolutely a positive proof point of why we need to have a board governance review,” Thompson threatened. “That nonsense that’s coming from that board is absolutely mean-spirited. They’re purposely creating anxiety for students and parents and teachers alike. We look forward to making sure that school boards pull up their socks.”

Thompson went on to make up a wild accusation of “mismanagement at the board level.”

“This attack and accusation of mismanagement is inappropriate,” said Singh. “Members of the Peel board, students, teachers and parents throughout the Brampton and Peel region have legitimate concerns. Thousands of teacher and education worker jobs are being cut. Thousands of classes are being cancelled. Students are being forced to take classes online to get rid of even more teachers. Of course these changes are a cause for major concern, and name-calling those who express concern is adding insult to injury.

“School boards, students, teachers and parents deserve so much better than to be attacked by the Education minister when they come forward with a concern.”